Newark is in the process of building a Community Cultural Arts Center. The current Newark Community Center, which is used for personal events and parties, is planned to be demolished to build the new cultural arts center.
On Oct. 8, Newark City Council decided on a plan that includes two buildings, a two-story community cultural center and a single-story event hall. The final draft of the plan will be voted on by the city council sometime in November.
The city reached out to the community regarding what they would like to see at the new center via online surveys, pop up survey posters and a community event. The pop up survey posters were displayed at Silliman Center, Senior Center and at the Public Works table during the Newark Days festival in September.
Residents and council members said they want more parking for this project. One resident from the First Presbyterian Church said there is not enough parking to accommodate big church events like funerals and Newark city events at the same time. The community center currently has 90 parking spaces at the northeast entrance and 64 parking spaces at the southwest entrance, which is next to the church.
Art studio spaces are most desired by community members, followed by a community event hall with a kitchen, and a dance room. Council members Terrence Grindall and Matthew Jorgens preferred the name “Community Center” instead of “Cultural Arts Center” in order to simplify the name.
